>Musings from a General
>
>[The source of the following writeup is an active-duty general in the Bangladesh Army. The author of this piece wishes to remain anonymous for obvious reasons. There are lots of interesting snippets here: a 2006 coup plan, Anwarul Iqbal's exist strategy to the UAE, etc. But I was not aware the Iazuddin has 20 pet dogs or that the government expenditure for those dogs is upsetting some young army officers, but the most important piece of information hinted in this piece explains why Moeen U. Ahmed's tenure as Chief of Staff was extended by one year. We were convinced that MUA will, after his retirement in June, step up to 'rescue' the country. But given the prices of essentials, specially the world-wide shortage of rice, becoming the de-jure ruler of Bangladesh is a no-win situation. So MUA, who is evidently a smart man (yes, I know the joke about Military Intelligence being an oxymoron, too) decided to extend his term by one year and remain the de-facto ruler until then. Does this mean the election will be pushed back until 2009? Generals are allowed to resign and enter politics, so we believe Gen. Ahmed is firmly straddling the fence at this point, but we will not be surprised if "unavoidable circumstances" pushes the election back. J @ ShadaKalo]
>
>Who Was Behind the Military-backed Government in Bangladesh?
>
>Interesting stories started emanating from the Bangladesh military intelligence sources in Dhaka. The rumor states that Mr. Anwarul Iqbal, who was in-charge of Police Force was asked to withdraw police forces from the 'war zone' on October 28, 2006 where few political activists and demonstrators were beaten to death. A selected few media blamed the 'logi boita' for the deaths while the Awami League leaders claimed and a few private TV channels showed that the Jamat supporters opened fire while shouting 'morle shoheed, bacle gazi' (if you die, you would go to heaven and if you don't die, you become a winner for eternity). His Deputy Police Commissioners repeatedly apprised him of the consequences of withdrawing the police forces and argued that the function of the police force is to maintain law and order. He did not listen to their arguments. As a reward and for his obedience, he was picked up as an Honorable Advisor in the current military-backed emergency government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed. Recently, he tried to put the Election Commission under fire by announcing that the Thana and local Parishad elections would be held prior to the national election for which the caretaker government was primarily installed. More interesting, as a precautionary measure, it is reported that Advisor Anwarul Iqbal has recently brought private flats in Dubai and UAE with a view to settle there after the change of the government. If the story is not true, he may submit a detail story on the 28th October incident as well as his income and wealth statement to dispel the rumors.
>
>It is also reported that the British High Commissioner Mr. Anwar Chowdhury managed to diplomatically defeat the U. S. Ambassador Patricia Buetenis who desperately wanted to have the national election in January 2007. She miserably failed as the EU diplomats sided with Mr. Chowdhury and therefore, she was withdrawn within 15 months of her service in Bangladesh. Now she is posted as the Deputy U.S. Ambassador in Iraq. Reportedly, British High Commissioner Mr. Chowdhury was a trusted confidante of the Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and he continually briefed her to stand strong in her demands. At the same time, he advised the BNP-Jamat leadership especially Begum Khaleda Zia not to compromise. He really enjoyed the rivalry of the Begums, the London-based the Economist so aptly enumerated. He earned confidence of Sheikh Hasina as his father was an expatriate Awami League leader in the United Kingdom. He was also close to the inner circle of the BNP leadership especially Mr. Saifur Rahman by being a Sylheti, the most trusted Minister of Khaleda Zia. British Prime Minister Tony Blair appointed Mr. Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi native as the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh to get political support of the Bangladeshi British nationals. In spite of his efforts for another term, he has recently been withdrawn by Foreign Secretary Milliband. Unlike others he stayed there for four years. But the damages that he did to this nation's nascent democracy will remain afresh just like the British Raj's dual policy of divide and rule for years to come.
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>It is further reported that all arrangements were smartly made to have a military takeover in Bangladesh on October 28th. However Khaleda Zia's political advisor Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, a shrewd politician that sided with Pakistan in 1971 Liberation War reportedly received information from Pakistan's ISI, the military intelligence forces and quickly foiled such attempt by hurriedly forming a Caretaker government headed by President Iazuddin Ahmed. Once the Caretaker Cabinet was formed, the military found difficulty to take over. President Iazuddin, a very selfish man has no love for the nation or nation's laws and rules other than himself.
>
>When the advisors of the Caretaker government of Iazuddin Ahmed were making progress and getting positive response from the opposing political parties, Dr. Iazuddin Ahmed at the advice of few selected military and civil society leaders obstructed any resolution. It is reported that both the TIB and the CPD got reasonable funding to continue their criticism of political leaders to create public opinion against them without fully knowing that they became a part of the conspiracy. However, CPD's Chief was rewarded with an Ambassadorial post immediately after the installation of the military-backed government that received nearly Tk80 crore British fund.
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>As the economy is failing under the inept caretaker government composed of foreign trained international bureaucrats and there is no hope of recovery soon, the military is fed up with Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed's government. Last January, four advisors were replaced and additional assistant advisors have recently been appointed to manage the economy. As it is not improving and there is not much hope of a quick fix, General Moeen U. Ahmed, the Army Chief is contemplating of handing over powers to an elected government. No wonder, while addressing the media this week he boldly stated that 'military has no political ambition'. Since last week a few generals have been quietly circulating the above 'untold stories' or 'classified information' as General Ahmed is convinced that leading such chaotic economy would be a bad choice now. However, before leaving the office, like a section of politicians that imported and enjoyed tax-free personal automobiles or made money out of such privilege, Army Chief General Moeen Ahmed rewarded him and his close associates with promotion and extension of service. That mentality of enjoying public benefits has not changed in spite of corruption jihad in the country. The current caretaker government will be over in 8/9 months, but upgrading of selected military ranks will continue even after its departure as the milestones of Fakhruddin government.
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>It is also reported that President Iazuddin Ahmed has been feeding his 20 pet dogs costing the public exchequer over couple of lac taka each month and as some young and dedicated army officers raised noise due to famine condition in the country, President Iazuddin to silence them extended the tenure of their boss, General Moeen U. Ahmed by a year. Question is; is it the same old 'give and take policy' of past governments in a new bottle? Or is it something new and fresh 'so-called reform' to deprive younger officers?
>
>Posted by J at 9:22 PM 1 comments Links to this post
>Wednesday
>March 26, 2008
>
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